Ash tray and the like



y 1935- c. M. MERSBACH 2,006,811

ASH TRAY AND THE LIKE Filed May 24, 1933 j HMMMW Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ASH may AND 'rmc LIKE I Clarence M ltiersbach, Chicago, Ill. Application May iii, 1933, Serial No. 672,636

3 Claims. (CL 131-51) This invention relates to ash trays and the like, and among other objects aims to provide a cheap but decorative article of this character which may, if desired, be discarded after use.

The nature of the invention may be readily understood by reference to an illustrative construction embodying the invention and shown in the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an ash tray;

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken from the plane 22 of Fig. 1 to show the interlocking arrangement at the corner;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the tray of Fig. 1 is formed;

Fig. 4 is a tray similar to Fig. 1 in which the corner tab is provided with an elongated surface to provide a rest for a lighted cigarette or the like; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the portion of the blank from which the tray of Fig. 4 is made.

The illustrative ash tray, while made of materials and in such a manner as to reduce its cost and make it practicable to discard after use, is nevertheless appropriately decorative to encourage its use in all surroundings. Cheapness is attained by making the same from heavy paper or cardboard which is adapted to receive printed matter and appropriate decoration. As here shown, the tray I0 is stamped from a flat blank ll of the aforesaid cardboard or heavy paper which may advantageously be surfaced with a coating of fire resisting printing ink or the like to prevent objectionable scorching or charring by the lighted end of a cigarette or cigar. While in most instances the ordinary heavy paper or cardboard would require no protecting surfacing of this character, it may be advantageously added to overcome prejudice and as a further assurance of safety in use. The ordinary decorative coating which may comprise any desired color including metallic finishes, may itself be designed to provide appropriate fire resistance.

The blank is preferably of triangular shape and of a size which may be conveniently carried in the pocket. For example, the blank may be slightly more than five inches long on'a side without being objectionably large for carrying in the pocket or placing in a flat form in a tin of cigarettes. The blank is preferably scored or otherwise treated along the lines I2 to provide upwardly bendable margins l3 (in this case about three-quarters of an inch wide) which form inclined sides of the tray. In this connection it should be noted that the blank is slitted along the lines ll between adjacent margins to permit the same to be bent up independently. The adjacent ends of the margins are provided respectively with interengageable slots l5 and tabs l6 which when interengaged serve to hold the 5 margins in upwardly bent position to provide a tray bottom H which is surrounded by continuous inclined sides l8.

To effect the aforesaid interengagement the tabs are preferably bent over along the lines I! (which may be scored on the under face of the tabs) and inserted through the respective slots ii. If. desired to provide greater permanency, the tabs may be provided with a bendable interlocking portion 20 which after it has been passed through a slot may be bent down as at 2| (see Fig. 2) to prevent withdrawal of the tab from the slot. The longitudinal position of the slots l5 determines to some extent the degree of inclination of the sides.

The material from which the trays are made is adapted to receive printed matter such as advertising either on the bottom as indicated at 22 or along the side margins as indicated at 23, or on both. Obviously the attention value of the tray as an advertising medium, is substantial. The character of the advertising may of course greatly vary. If one or more trays in blank form be furnished with a tin of cigarettes, they may desirably carry advertising relating to that brand of cigarettes. While the trays in blank form may be distributed without cost if they carry advertising, the cost of appropriately decorated trays without advertising is .so small as to make it possible to buy them in quantity and to discard trays after use, making it possible to abolish the distasteful task of emptying and cleaning the trays. The cheapness of the trays thus makes is possible always to have an adequate supply on hand, and minimizes the trouble and possible damage usually connected with tobacco ashes.

Instead of advertising (or if desired in combination with advertising) trays may be obtained with decorative matter symbolic of a particular occasion (for example, as indicated at 24, Fig. 4) without substantial cost. For example, the trays may be appropriately used as place cards at dinner parties and the like, thus serving a double function.

While the upper surface 25 of the downwardly folded tab provides some support for a lighted cigarette or the like, a longer supporting surface may be provided if the tab be elongated as at 26 (see Figs. 4 and 5). The tab when folded down and interlocked with its 8101; presents a sub- .55

stantial supporting surface. Ii desired the tab may be slightly creased or scored along the line 21 to provide a groove or channel 1| extending longitudinally of the tab to hold the cigarette from rolling oil its support. The tab may also be provided with a bendable portion 20 which may be bent down after it has been passed through the slot to interlock the interengaged parts. The slot is here shown elevated to the level 01' the opposite side of the tab by being formed iii a projecting portion II along the .margin 32. Thus the tab will lie level when it is folded in place and passed through the slot.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the details or the illustrative construction since these may be variously modified. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all features of the invention be used conjointly since various features may be used to advantage in different combinations and sub-combinations.

Having described my invention, I claim: I

1. As an article oi! manuracture, an ash tray formed from a generally triangular blank oi cardboard or the like, said blank being scored near its edges to provide margins adapted to be bent up along the scored lines to provide sides for the tray, said margins being provided with interengaging slots and tabs for holding the margins in upwardly bent condition, said tabs providing a supporting rest for lighted cigarettes or the like.

2. As an article of manufacture, an ash tray formed from a generally triangular blank of cardboard or the like, said blank having marins adapted to be bent up along the scored lines to provide sides for the tray, said blank being slitted at the corners to allow independent upward bending of said margins, said margins adjacent their ends having interengageable slots and tabs adapted to be interengaged to hold said margins in inclined positions, said slots being located to position said margins in inclined position.

3. As an article 0! manufacture, an ash tray formed from a generally triangular blank 0! thick paper or the like, said blank being of a character to receive printed matter on its upper face and having upwardly bendable margins for forming the sides of a tray, the adjacent ends of said margins being respectively formed with a slot and a tab adapted to be interengaged to hold the margins in upwardly bent position, said tabs being elongated to present a supporting suri'ace across the comer between said margins to provide a rest for holding a. cigarette or the like out 01' contact with the bottom of the tray.

CLARENCE M. MERSBACH. 

